Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

POP/ROCK

They Write the Songs: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers will hold its 13th Annual Pop Music Awards tonight at the Beverly Hilton. Among those to be honored are Melissa Etheridge (“Come to My Window,” “I’m the Only One”), who tied with Hootie & the Blowfish’s Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber and Mark Bryan (“Hold My Hand,” “Only Wanna Be With You”) for songwriter of the year. “On Bended Knee,” written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and performed by Boyz II Men, will receive the song of the year award. Tom Petty will be honored with the ASCAP’s special Golden Note Award for his contributions to contemporary American music. The organization will give its first-ever College Music Award to Bjork and Soul Asylum for achievement in the world of college radio.

MOVIES

Mission: Internet: Netsurfers, Apple Computer is offering a mission for you: to go behind the scenes of the party following tonight’s premiere of Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible” and take part in the hype surrounding the movie. The computer company will provide Internet coverage of the celebrity filled event on the Web from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., as well as a Web adventure which allows participants to have an online “espionage experience.” Apple, whose Powerbook computer is featured in the film, will also hold a “Mission: Impossible” trivia competition on both the Internet and America Online (keyword: Centerstage) from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Information about “Mission: Impossible” activities can be found at https://mission.apple.com. . . . The fX network is getting in on the “Mission: Impossible” hoopla. Peter Graves, star of the original series, will appear on fX’s “BackChat” Sunday at 4 p.m. to talk about his memories of the series.

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Bertolucci Shocked: Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci, who received a suspended jail sentence over his 1972 movie “Last Tango in Paris,” Saturday described as “shocking” a new censorship fight over his latest film, “Stealing Beauty.” The Italian state broadcaster RAI refused to carry an advertisement for the movie, judging the trailer obscene because of explicit scenes involving an adolescent girl. The tale of adolescent love, starring Liv Tyler and Jeremy Irons, is being shown in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. “It was shocking, firstly because it reminded me of the dark moments of ‘Last Tango in Paris’ when it was condemned,” Bertolucci, 56, said in Cannes. “And second because it was a very heavy precedent. If no one rebels, any movie can be judged obscene by RAI which will thus nullify the censors’ decision,” he said. The movie was passed for national release by the Italian Board of Censors with no age restrictions and has since opened in Italian theaters.

STAGE

Au Revoir, Samuel French?: A picket line numbering around 10 marched on the sidewalk in front of the Samuel French bookstore in Hollywood Saturday afternoon, protesting the French licensing firm’s decision to raise royalties on most of the professional productions that are staged in L.A.’s sub-100-seat theaters. A flyer urged passersby to go to other bookstores and suggested that producers should try plays licensed by a French rival, Dramatists Play Service. Among the slogans on the placards: “Au Revoir Samuel French, Bonjour Dramatists Play Service.”

LEGAL FILE

On Probation: Ken Wahl, who formerly starred in the CBS series “Wiseguy,” was sentenced last week in a Malibu court to six months’ probation after pleading no contest to a charge of disturbing the peace. Wahl was arrested in January on an outstanding warrant for drunk driving after a neighbor called deputies to complain of loud music at the actor’s home. Wahl pleaded no contest to the drunk driving charge earlier this year and received probation. He was expected to join a recovery program.

QUICK TAKES

Arnold Schwarzenegger was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters Friday by his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Superior, for his efforts at promoting health and fitness. . . . Another star honored by the academic world this graduation season was Bill Cosby, who received an honorary doctor of fine arts degree from the University of Connecticut, where he told graduates you can’t go home again--at least not without angering the little brother or sister who got your old room. . . . Former “Saturday Night Live” star Kevin Nealon will perform at IGBY’s Comedy Cabaret in West Los Angeles Thursday at 8 p.m.. . . . Grammy-winning singer Gloria Estefan will appear live in concert on HBO Sept. 21 from Miami. . . . “Rimba’s Island,” a new Fox children’s series premiering at 8 this morning, will boast read-along text in an effort to promote word association and reading skills of young viewers.